System that provides economical purification of wastewater and recirculation of potable water and generation of electricity

ABSTRACT

Water purification and recycling system that generates electricity and has a large reservoir and a small reservoir that provides potable water to a water user structure. After use by the water user structure, wastewater is applied from said water user structure via at least one wastewater path to wastewater treatment apparatus. The wastewater treatment apparatus receives and processes the wastewater using a power plant that operates continuously to produce steam. The wastewater treatment apparatus is also powered by a co-adjuvant gas turbine generator is adapted to generate supplemental steam for the power plant.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of a co-pending U.S.non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/071,069 filed 24 Mar.2011, which is a continuation-in-part of United States non-provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 12/775,142 filed 6 May 2010, now abandoned,each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A wastewater treatment system having co-adjuvant power sources thatprocess wastewater and re-circulates potable water from a water sourceto a water user.

BACKGROUND

Many cities and municipalities face increasing problems of obtainingpotable water adequate for their needs. In the arid southwest portionsof the United States, land is often not used because of a lack of water.Disputes can arise when a limited amount of water is shared by citiesand agricultural areas. Some cities often limit their watering of lawns,golf courses, etc. A contributing factor to the worsening water shortageis that cities do little or nothing to improve the way their water isprocessed after use by the consumer.

Typically, this “wastewater” is sent to a sewage processing facilitywhere it is “treated” and discharged into a river or the like where itflows downstream for other users.

Statement of the Problem

State-of-the-art wastewater processing facilities are not alwaysinexpensive. Cost can be a major factor. There are a number of coststhat must be considered when designing the type of wastewater system tobe acquired.

The demand for wastewater processing facilities is not linear andincludes time-wise variations since the use of these facilities is atits peak during daylight hours (when users generate more sewage) and islower during evening hours (when users generate less sewage). Thiscreates an uneven time wise demand for the level of service provided bywastewater processing facilities. Facilities designed and operated toproduce electric power are diverse and use a variety of fuels such ascoal, natural gas, diesel fuel, crude oil, and assorted bio-masssources. The generating process begins with the combustion of fuelcreating heat which converts water to steam which activates thegenerator. The byproduct from the generator is “waste steam” which isthe energy source for the purification and recirculation process of theinvention. The present invention constitutes a small continuouslyoperating coal fired generating system and a co-adjuvant natural gasfired turbine generator/steam generating (combined cycle) system.

Statement of the Solution

A solution to the above problem is the provision of a recirculating typewastewater treatment system powered by a coal-fired power plant that isassisted by a co-adjuvant gas turbine generator that can generate steamon an as needed basis to supply supplemental steam for increasedwastewater processing requirements. Both power plants include facilitiesthat generate electricity that can be sold to nearby utilities.

The coal-fired power plant disclosed herein is operated continuously24/7 to provide a steady low level of steam. This coal-fired power plantoperates continuously to provide the steam needed during the late nighthours. This steam can also generate electricity. After generating theelectricity, the steam has less energy and is then referred to herein aswaste steam. This remaining energy of the waste steam can also be usedto supply the energy required for the purification of the receivedwastewater by the wastewater apparatus comprising the two preheatelements 214, 216, and the distillation elements 224 and 226 as well asother elements on FIG. 2 associated with the function of purifying thereceived wastewater and conveying the purified wastewater to reservoirs266 in 268.

The co-adjuvant gas turbine generator may be dormant when the coal-firedpower plant provides sufficient steam during low wastewater usage in thenighttime hours. The co-adjuvant gas turbine generator remains dormantuntil its output steam is needed to supplement steam from the coal firedpower plant. Also, the coal-fired power plant uses the dried wastesolids as fuel. The co-adjuvant gas turbine generator is controllablyswitched from an off state to an on state to generate the supplementalsteam needed during busier daytime hours. The co-adjuvant gas turbinegenerator continues to operate as long as its supplemental steam isneeded. The present embodiment of the invention provides the combineduse of a coal-fired power plant and a co-adjuvant gas turbine generatorfor provision of the supplemental steam required for purification andprocessing of wastewater into potable water. It should be emphasizedthat coal-fired power plants also use the dried solids as fuels.

This combination of a coal-fired power plant and a co-adjuvant gas-firedturbine generator is advantageously used in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention to serve wastewater processing needsof a system having water storage facilities, wherein water is deliveredby paths from a small and a large reservoir to a water user structure(such a home, house, business, commercial facility, etc).

Each water user structure is adapted to transport blackwater andgreywater to water waste treatment apparatus served by the coal-firedpower plant and co-adjuvant gas turbine generator.

A first water supply path delivers potable water from a small reservoirto a water user structure having sinks, bars and other facilities thatdispense potable water to users. A second water supply path deliverswater from a large reservoir to the water user structure for other wateruses including showers, toilets, dish and clothes washers, etc.

A first wastewater discharge path conveys greywater from each water userstructure to wastewater treatment apparatus that is adapted to convertthe received greywater into potable water for discharge into the smallreservoir.

A second wastewater discharge path conveys blackwater from each wateruser structure to wastewater treatment apparatus that is adapted tocontinuously convert the received blackwater into water of a qualitysuitable for discharge into the large reservoir.

The apparatus and methods embodied by this invention are economical,efficient, and effective because:

1. The amount of water required for cooking and drinking is smallrelative to the total water requirements of a water user structure.2. The amount of wastewater leaving the water user structure thatcontains solids and bacteria is small compared to the total wastewaterleaving the water user structure and which can be treated separately.3. The coal fired power plant together with the co-adjuvant gas turbinegenerator provides the steam required to operate the wastewaterprocessing system. The coal-fired power plant generates steamcontinuously defines an output level commensurate with the needs ofwater users during low usage night time hours. The co-adjuvant gasturbine generator is activated to generate supplemental steam during thedaytime hours when the wastewater processing needs of the usersincreases.4. The coal-fired power plant provides for combustion of the solidwaste.5. The use of activated carbon is an important part of the purificationprocess. After use, the activated carbon is dried and disposed of asfuel in the coal-fired power plant.6. The coal-fired power plant is adapted to generate ozone for use aspart of the purification process.7. As priorly mentioned, the apparatus embodying the present inventionis adapted to generate electricity. The generated electricity may besold to utilities on a contract basis. This would enable utilities toestablish an operating presence in the areas proximate to the presentsystem.

Aspects

One aspect of the invention comprises a system adapted to economicallyrecycle water received from a water source and extended to a water userstructure, said apparatus comprises: a first water supply path adaptedto extend potable water from a small reservoir to said water userstructure, a first wastewater path for conveying greywater from saidwater user structure to a wastewater treatment apparatus, a second watersupply path adapted to extend water from a large reservoir to said wateruser structure, a second wastewater path extends blackwater comprising amixture of solid waste and liquid waste from said water user structureto said wastewater treatment apparatus, said wastewater treatmentapparatus being effective to treat said received blackwater and extendssaid treated blackwater as pure water to said large reservoir,wastewater treatment apparatus is powered by steam from a coal-firedpower plant operating at a defined steam power output level as well asby steam from a co-adjuvant gas turbine generator to supplement thesteam provided by the coal-fired power plant.

Preferably, said wastewater treatment apparatus comprises a continuouslyoperating centrifuge adapted to receive said blackwater from the secondwastewater path. This continuous mode of operation by the input wastematerial and by the centrifuge provides optimum operation wherein thecentrifuge input contributes to an expedited operation of the system.The centrifuge separates the solid and liquid blackwater, the separatedsolid blackwater is applied to a dryer which dries the solid blackwaterand conveys dried solid blackwater waste to be burned as fuel by thecoal-fired power plant.

Preferably, liquid blackwater separated by said expedited centrifuge isapplied to said wastewater treatment apparatus processes said separatedliquid blackwater and extends it to a processing apparatus for extensionto the large reservoir.

A second aspect comprises a method for recycling water received from awater source and extended to a water user structure, said methodcomprises the process steps of: extending potable water via a firstwater supply path from a small reservoir to a water user structure,applying greywater via a first wastewater path from said waste userstructure to a wastewater treatment apparatus, extending water from alarge reservoir via a second water supply path to said water userstructure, conveying blackwater via a second wastewater path from saidwater user structure to said wastewater treatment apparatus, andprocessing greywater by said wastewater treatment apparatus forextension to the small reservoir, said wastewater treatment apparatus issteam powered by low-cost steam from a coal-fired power plant operatingcontinuously 24/7 at a defined power output level and by steam from aco-adjuvant gas turbine generator, said co-adjuvant gas-fired turbinegenerator is adapted to operate to provide supplemental steam to saidwastewater treatment apparatus in addition to a low-level of steamprovided to said wastewater treatment apparatus by said coal-fired powerplant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects of the invention may be better understoodfrom a reading of the following description thereof taken in conjunctionwith the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 discloses a block diagram description of an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 discloses further details of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 discloses a flow chart illustrating a method of processing agreywater.

FIG. 4 discloses a flow chart illustrating the method of processingblackwater.

FIG. 5 discloses a flow diagram illustrating the method of supplyingsteam to the wastewater processing apparatus of FIG. 2 by the coal firedpower plant. FIG. 5 also discloses a flow diagram illustrating a methodof supplying supplemental steam to the wastewater processing apparatusof FIG. 2 by a co-adjuvant gas turbine generator.

FIG. 6 discloses a flow diagram illustrating a method of determining thetime of day at which the co-adjuvant gas turbine generator is activatedby a controller. This controller is also effective to determine the timeof day at which the co-adjuvant gas turbine generator is deactivatedwhen the need for its supplemental steam is not required.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The figures and the following description illustrate specific exemplaryembodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated that those skilledin the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, althoughnot explicitly described or shown herein to embody the principles of theinvention and are included within the scope of the invention.Furthermore, any examples described herein are intended to aid inunderstanding the principles of the invention, and are to be construedas being without limitation to such examples. As a result, the inventionis not limited to the specific embodiments or examples described below,but only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

The terms blackwater and greywater as used in this document and shall beunderstood to be defined and characterized as follows. Blackwater shallbe understood to characterize sewage containing human waste and or solidparticles such as waste from kitchen disposals. Greywater shall beunderstood to characterize wastewater generated from activities such aslaundry, dishwashing, showers, and bathing.

Description of FIG. 1

An embodiment of the invention includes water storage facilitiescomprising a small reservoir 166, a large reservoir 168, a treatmentapparatus 125, and a coal-fired power plant 140 together with aco-adjuvant gas turbine generator 187.

Water is applied by path 165 from small reservoir 166 via filter 170,chlorination element 172, and path 174 to water user structure 102. Thiswater is potable and is extended only to kitchen sinks, wet bars, etc.of water user structure 102 which supply potable water suitable fordrinking and cooking for human consumption. Water user structure 102 isportrayed as a house. However, it may be a mixture of water userstructures, such as houses, stores, apartment buildings or a mixturethereof.

Water from large reservoir 168 is extended via path 169, filter 176,chlorination element 178, and path 180 to water user structure 102. Thiswater is provided to showers, garbage disposals, bathrooms, toilets,etc., which do not require potable water.

A pair of wastewater paths 104 and 106 extend from water user structure102. Wastewater path 106 applies blackwater to centrifuge 108. Expeditedcentrifuge 108 separates solids from blackwater path 106 and extends theseparated solids via path 113 to dryer 136. Dryer 136 dries theblackwater solids and applies them to coal 138 where they are mixed withcoal 138 and subsequently burned in coal-fired steam power plant 140.The bacteria in the dried blackwater solids are burned by coal-firedsteam power plant 140.

Expedited centrifuge 108 has a liquid blackwater output 110 whichextends to preheat 116. Preheat 116 receives this liquid blackwateroutput 110 and extends it to ozonolysis mechanism 122 which uses ozoneand the like to kill bacteria in the blackwater liquid waste receivedfrom preheat 116. Ozonolysis mechanism 122 applies its output to smalldistillation unit 126, which applies its distilled output via path 154to large reservoir 168.

Preheat 114 receives greywater from liquid waste path 104 of water userstructure 102. This greywater is applied via preheat 114 to ozonolysismechanism 120 which applies its output to distillation unit 124. Theoutput of distillation unit 124 is applied via path 152 to smallreservoir 166.

Steam from coal-fired power plant 140 is applied via path 158 todistillation units 124 and 126. Most water in the distillation units 126and 124 is distilled and returned via path 154 to large reservoir 168and via path 152 to small reservoir 166. Distillation unit 124 anddistillation unit 126 apply condensate 160 to boiler 191 of coal-firedpower plant 140 via path 195 so that it can make more steam that isapplied via path 158 to distillation units 124 and 126.

Coal-fired power plant 140 may be used to generate steam power andultraviolet light. Embodiments of the invention burn carbon from thevarious filters as shown on FIG. 1. The carbon in the filters used bythe embodiment of FIG. 1 is returned to the coal-fired steam power plant140 along with the coal and is burned. Activated carbon is extremelyeffective to remove trace amounts of organics and the like. At the endof their useful life, the carbon filters may be burned by the coal-firedsteam power plant as fuel.

The co-adjuvant gas turbine generator shown together with its associatedelements in FIG. 1 comprises gas turbine generator 187 which applies itsoutput over paths 181 to boiler 182 which generates steam as shown ingreater detail on FIG. 2. The steam is applied over path 183 to steamgenerator 184 which similarly generates steam as described on FIG. 2.The steam generator 184 applies generated steam over path 185 to element125 whose elements use the steam as described in greater detail on FIG.2. The elements shown within wastewater processing element 125 receivethe steam from coal-fired power plant 140 during the low usage nighthours when only the coal-fired steam power plant 140 is operating toprocess wastewater of the system of FIG. 1.

As priorly described, co-adjuvant gas turbine generator 187 isoperational together with the coal-fired steam power plant 140 duringthe daylight hours when the system of FIG. 1 and its customers requireincreased processing of wastewater.

As priorly described, the apparatus embodying the present invention isadapted to generate electricity which may be used by the system or soldto others, such as utilities. The apparatus that generates thiselectricity and distributes it for all off-site facilities for couplingthe electric output of the generators to interface devices that areoperable to apply the electricity from the generators to circuitry thatextends to the off-site customer desiring to receive this electricity.This interface device is shown on FIG. 1 by a numbered designation suchas E1, E2, and E3. On FIG. 1 interface E1 is coupled to steam generator193 of the coal-fired power plant 140. Similarly, interface E2 iscoupled to gas turbine generator 187 and similarly interface E3 iscoupled to steam generator 184. These interfaces extend electricity tooff-site customers. These interfaces E1, E2, E3 are shown on FIG. 2 ascoupled to steam generator 293, gas turbine generator 287 and steamgenerator 284 for extending electricity from these devices to off-sitecustomers.

Description of FIG. 2

The embodiment of FIG. 2 includes small reservoir 266, large reservoir268, and wastewater treatment apparatus similar to that shown on FIG. 1but is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 includes Coal-firedpower plant 240 and associated apparatus as well as co-adjuvant gasturbine generator 287 together with associated apparatus generally shownon FIG. 1, but are shown in further detail on FIG. 2. Numbers in the 100series on FIG. 1 are shown with a corresponding higher number in the 200series on FIG. 2. For example, small reservoir 166 on FIG. 1 isdesignated as element 266 on FIG. 2.

Potable water is applied by path 265 from small reservoir 266 via aseries connection of paths 265, filtration 270, chlorination unit 272,and path 274 to water user structure 202. This potable water is extendedwithin water user structure 202 to kitchen sinks, wet bars, or any placewhich supplies potable water suitable for drinking, cooking, etc.

Water from large reservoir 268 is extended via path 269, filtrationelement 276, chlorination unit 278, and path 280 to water user structure202. This water is provided within water user structure 202 to showers,garbage disposals, bathrooms, toilets, etc., which do not requirepotable water.

Path 206 transports blackwater from water user structure 202 tocentrifuge 208 operating on an expedited basis. Element 212 ofcentrifuge 208 extracts the blackwater solids from path 206 and extendsthe extracted blackwater solids over path 213 to dryer 236. Dryer 236dries the blackwater solids and applies them to path 235 to coal supply238 where they are burned in coal-fired steam power plant 240. Thebacteria in the blackwater solids are economically burned by coal-firedsteam power plant 240.

Centrifuge 208 has a blackwater liquid wastewater output 210 which isapplied via path 211 to preheat 216. Preheat 216 receives thisblackwater liquid waste and extends it to ozonolysis mechanism 222,which kills the bacteria received in the blackwater liquid waste frompreheat 216. Ozonolysis mechanism 222 receives ozone on path 256, killsthe bacteria, and applies its output to small distillation unit 226,which distills water that is applied via path 254 to large reservoir268.

The liquid input to preheat element 214 is the greywater received fromliquid waste via path 204 from water user structure 202. This greywateris applied via preheat 214 to ozonolysis element 220, which receivesozone on path 256 to kill the bacteria and applies its output to largedistillation unit 224. The output of large distillation unit 224 isapplied via path 252 to small reservoir 266.

Preheater 216 heats the received blackwater liquid waste using hot waterin path 246. Path 246 receives the hot water that originated in element228 within large distillation unit 224. This hot water is not vaporizedby the large distillation unit 224 and is received by the hot water unit228 and applied over paths 229 to carbon filter 244 and, in turn, topath 246 which extends through preheat elements 214 and 216 todistillate vessel 218. Path 246 terminates in distillate vessel 218which contains pure water generated by large distillation unit 224. Path246 extends through preheat elements 214 and 216. The greywater andblackwater liquid within preheat elements 214 and 216 are thermallyconnected to the hot water within path 246. There is no integration ofthe hot water in hot water path 246 with blackwater liquid in thepreheat elements 214 and 216. The hot water within distillate vessel 218is extended over path 267 and discharged as potable water into largereservoir 268.

The output of coal-fired power plant 240 is applied via path 290 toboiler 291 which generates steam that is applied over paths 292 togenerator 293 which generates further steam that is applied via path 294to large distilization unit 224 and to small steam distilization unit226. When co-adjuvant gas turbine steam generator 287 is operating, itapplies its output to boiler 282 which applies its output over path 283to turbine generator 284 which generates steam that is applied over path285 to large distilization unit 224. The co-adjuvant gas turbinegenerator 287 is effective when operated to cause steam generator 284 toapply steam to large distilization unit 224 and small distilization unit226. Most water in distillation units 224 and 226 is condensed. It canalso be treated with ultraviolet light (not shown) before being returnedvia path 254 from small distilization unit 226 to large reservoir 268and via path 252 from large distilization unit 224 to small reservoir266. Distillation units 224 and 226 are steam powered by the steamreceived over path 294 from coal-fired steam power plant 240 via steamgenerator 293. Distilization units 224 and 226 also receive steamgenerated by gas turbine 287 via boiler 282 and steam generator 284 andpath 285 when co-adjuvant gas turbine 287 is in operation.

Greywater in path 204 is preheated by preheat 214. This preheat elementprovides more time for processing of the received greywater waste byozonolysis element 220. Some of this water is distilled by largedistillation unit 224. It is advantageous to condense all of the steamthat is generated by the coal-fired steam power plant 240 andco-adjuvant gas turbine generator 287. It is advantageous to use thatenergy required to condense this steam without using a cooling tower.

Ozone production element 242 receives electricity from coal-fired steampower plant 240 and from the co-adjuvant gas fired steam turbinegenerator 287 to make ozone. This ozone extends via path 256 to theinputs of ozonolysis element 220 and 222. The output of ozonolysiselement 220 comprises pure oxygen that extends to large distillationunit 224. The output of the ozonolysis mechanism 222 is pure oxygen thatextends to small distillation unit 226.

A small amount of water enters groundwater element 234 since there isnot enough steam to distill all the water in each of distillation units224 and 226. This small amount of water is applied through carbon filter232 as groundwater 234. Periodically, carbon filter 232 is replaced andapplied via dryer 236 to coal 238 for burning in coal-fired steam powerplant 240

As priorly described with respect to FIG. 1, the designated interfacesE1, E2, E3 of FIG. 2 operates in the same manner to distributeelectricity to off-site customers.

Description of FIG. 3

The flowchart of FIG. 3 illustrates a method by which apparatus of FIG.2 processes the greywater. Step 301 is the start of the process. Inprocess step 302, water user structure 202 applies greywater over wastepath 204 to preheat 214. Preheat 214 applies heat to the receivedgreywater to facilitate subsequent processing. In process step 304,preheat 214 applies heated greywater to ozonolysis element 220, whichreceives ozone from element 242. In process step 306, ozonolysis element220 applies pure water to large distillation unit 224. In process step308, large distillation unit 224 applies distilled water via path 252 tosmall reservoir 266. In Step 309 the remaining Greywater is filteredthrough activated carbon and piped to large to reservoir 168. Activatedcarbon is dried and added to the fuel of coal-fired power plant 240.Step 310 is the end of the process.

Description of FIG. 4

Step 401 is the beginning of the process. In process step 402, wateruser structure 202 generates blackwater that is extended via path 206 toexpedited centrifuge 208. In process step 404, expedited centrifuge 208separates blackwater solid waste from blackwater liquid. In process step406, blackwater solid is separated by expedited centrifuge 208 and sentvia path 213 to dryer 236. In process step 408, dryer 236 heats thesolid blackwater waste to remove the liquid and applies the dried solidblackwater waste to coal 238, where the solid blackwater is mixed withcoal for burning by coal-fired steam power plant 240. Step 409 is theend of the process in which solid blackwater is disposed of by burningcoal.

Step 404 begins a process in which blackwater liquid is processed. Inprocess step 410, expedited centrifuge 208 separates blackwater liquidfrom blackwater solid waste, and extends the blackwater liquid via path211 to preheat 216. In process step 412, preheat 216 raises thetemperature of the blackwater liquid to facilitate its processing.Preheat 216 applies its blackwater liquid to ozonolysis mechanism 222.In process step 414, the output of ozonolysis mechanism 222 is purewater since it receives ozone from element 242 via path 256. This ozonefacilitates the operation of ozonolysis mechanism 222 in convertingblackwater liquid into water. This water is applied to smalldistillation unit 226 which distills the water. In process step 416,distilled water is applied via path 254 to large reservoir 268 forsubsequent use by water user structures 202. Step 418 is the end of theprocess which has received the blackwater liquid from expedited fromcentrifuge 208, processed the blackwater liquid and applied distilledwater to large reservoir 268.

Description of FIG. 5

FIG. 2 taken in conjunction with flow charts of FIGS. 3, 4, and FlowDiagrams of FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the process steps by which theapparatus of FIG. 2 processes the wastewater received from a water userstructure such as 202.

The left-column of FIG. 5 illustrates the process steps for theoperation of coal-fired power plant 240. The right column of FIG. 5illustrates the process steps for the operation of co-adjuvant gas firedturbine generator 287. These steam power plants together generate thesteam required to process the received wastewater discharged by a wateruser structure 202.

The process steps for coal-fired power plant 240 begin with process step500 of FIG. 5 which transmits start signals via path 501 and startelement to controller 276. Controller 276 transmits signals viaconductor 504 to coal-fired power steam plant 240 in process step 502.Process step 502 causes coal-fired power steam plant 240 to operate at acontinuous rate and at a specified steam output. Also, in process step502, coal-fired power steam plant 240 burns coal 238 and applies heatover path 290 to boiler 291 of process step 503. In process step 503,boiler 291 converts its input to steam which is applied to steamgenerator 293 in process step 505. Steam generator 293 functions as asteam turbine in process step 505 to apply steam via path 294 to smalldistilization unit 226 of process step 507. Steam generator 293 alsogenerates electricity and sends waste steam to purification. The steamreceived by small distilization unit 226 is also applied to largereservoir 268 as END signal.

The steam of process step 505 is also applied to large distilizationunit 224 of the right column, process step 526. In process step 526, theoutput of large distilization 224 is applied via small reservoir 268 toEND signal of the right column of FIG. 5.

Coal-fired steam power plant 240 of FIG. 5 generates steam power duringthe daytime when wastewater processing needs are greater. Theco-adjuvant gas-fired turbine generator 287 is activated at 7 AM togenerate supplemental steam needed by the wastewater processing systemof FIG. 2. This supplemental steam is generated by the process steps ofthe elements in the right column of FIG. 5.

The process steps for the operation of co-adjuvant gas fired steamturbine 287 begin with process step 516 and Start element at the top ofthe right column of FIG. 5. Start element 516 activates the process step516 by sending a signal over path 517 to controller 275 in process step518. Controller 275 receives signal 517 and generates signal 279 toactivate co-adjuvant gas turbine steam generator 287 and generatesupplemental steam in process step 520.

In process step 520, co-adjuvant gas turbine generator 287 generatesheat and extends it over path 281 to boiler 282.

As shown on FIG. 2, boiler 282 receives water from large distilizationelement 224. Water used by boiler 282 in process step 522 is convertedto steam by the heat received from co-adjuvant gas-fired turbinegenerator 287. Water is converted to steam by boiler 282 in process step522 that is extended over path 283 to steam generator 284 in processstep 524. Steam generator 284 functions as a gas turbine generator whichgenerates further steam in process step 524.

This generated steam of process step 524 is applied to largedistillation element 224. This steam generator also generateselectricity and sends waste steam to purification. This also applieswater to boiler 291 of the coal-fired steam power plant 240 to producesteam. As priorly mentioned, large distilization unit 224 also receivessteam from steam generator 293 of coal-fired steam power plant 240. Inprocess step 526, large distilization unit 224 also extends distilledwater has shown on FIG. 2 to small reservoir 266. END step 266 ends theprocessing step for the co-adjuvant gas-fired turbine generator 287 onFIG. 5.

Those skilled in the technology to which the present invention pertainswill appreciate that the disclosed wastewater processing system of FIG.2 embodies complex apparatus that must be maintained to accommodatevarious system parameters such as: waste material weight, time of day,temperature of various elements, and pressure of various elements inorder for the equipment to operate satisfactorily. Monitoring the systemparameters is achieved by controller 275 which embodies a computer andsoftware that monitors the system of FIG. 2 and its parameters.

Description of FIG. 6

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating processing of the TIME parameterby the present invention. This TIME parameter specifies how and when theco-adjuvant gas generator 287 is operated to generate supplementalsteam. Coal-fired power plant 240 of FIG. 2 runs continuously 24/7 togenerate a low-level of steam. This low-level of steam is adequate tooperate the system during evening hours (7 PM-7 AM) when the demand forprocessing wastewater is relatively low. Coal-fired power plant 240 runsat the same low level during the day (7 AM-7 PM) when the demand fortreating wastewater is higher. Since the coal-fired power plant 240 runscontinuously; its steam output is adequate during evening hours tosupport wastewater processing; but it is not adequate during daylighthours when the demand for wastewater processing is high. The coal-firedpower plant 240 then requires supplemental steam from the co-adjuvantgas turbine generator 287 to support adequate system operation.

Let it be assumed that the evening hours of operation are 7 p.m. through7 a.m. and that daylight hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thesteam output from the coal-fired power plant 240 is adequate during theevening hours, and the assistance of supplemental steam from theco-adjuvant turbine generator 287 is not then required. However, thedemand for wastewater processing is greater during the daylight hours,and the steam output of the coal-fired steam power plant 240 cannotsupport adequate system operation during the daylight hours. Adequatesystem operation during this time may require availability of the outputof the coal-fired power plant 240 together with the supplemental steamfrom the co-adjuvant gas turbine steam generator 287.

FIG. 6 illustrates the following apparatus embodying the inventionincluding: start element 516, path 517, path 602, and controller 275 areshown on both FIGS. 5 and 6; path 602, path 606, and 24 hour timer 604are shown on FIG. 6; and the co-adjuvant gas turbine generatorco-adjuvant gas and turbine steam generator 287 is designated as beingactive during the daylight hours of 7 AM through 7 PM, and is designatedas being off during the evening hours of 7 PM through 7 AM. Element 275is a controller. Timer 604 is programmable to specify the same daylighthours and evening hours for co adjuvant gas turbine generator 287. Thesehours are for illustrative purposes only.

This process begins when the system operator activates start key 516.Start key 516 is shown in greater detail in the right column of FIG. 5.The activation of start key 516 extends a signal from start key 516,over path 517 to controller 275 which may comprise a computer and/orappropriate software. The operator of the system may operate the systemof FIG. 6.

The system operator may initiate automatic operation by operatingcontroller 275 to apply a control signal over path 602 to timer 604.Timer 604 generates signal 606 to initiate automatic operation of theco-adjuvant gas-fired turbine generator 287 to begin successiveoperational periods beginning when an initial signal is first applied topath 606 by timer 605. Timer 605, after first applying signal to path606, causes the co-adjuvant gas-fired turbine generator 287 to beginoperations as determined by the operator and controller 275.

The above operations are merely illustrative since controller 275 is acomputer-controlled software device and may be programmed to operate asspecified by the system operator and controller 275 of FIG. 6 to apply acontrol signal over path 602 to timer 604. Timer 604 generates signal606 to initiate automatic operation of the whole adjacent gas turbinegenerator 287 to begin successive operational periods beginning when aninitial signal is first applied to path 606 by timer 604. After applyingsignal path 606 to causes the gas-fired turbine generator 287 to beginoperations as determined by the operator and controller 275.

Controller 275 and co-adjuvant gas turbine generator 287 are adapted tomonitor the wastewater processing system to determine whether the systemthat is operating as specified by the TIME parameter. Other parametersmay also be monitored by controller 275 and appropriate software. Thissystem can also monitor other system parameters including for example;wastewater temperature and weight; steam temperature; oxygen level,ozone production, carbon filter blockage, etc. The monitoring of thesystem and its parameters facilitates improved service of the system toits users and customers.

Epilogue

The scope of the invention shall be broadly construed as permitted byany reasonable interpretation disclosed and claimed herein. Theinvention is described with reference to the use of multiple bodies ofwater referred to as a “large reservoir and a small reservoir”. Those ofordinary skill will readily appreciate that the manner in which theinvention is practiced is not dependent upon the size of the bodies ofwater. The use of the term “small and large body of water, rather thanthe use of” a first and a second body of water, facilitates ease ofunderstanding.

The invention does not require multiple bodies of water of which one islarge and other of which is small. As long as sufficient size and watervolume exists, it does not matter whether one body is large and theother body is small, or weather both are equal. Also, the applicant'sinvention could be practiced if sufficient large bodies of water areavailable. The invention could be practiced if only a large or only asmall number of small bodies are available.

Also, the bodies of water do not have to be outdoor reservoirs. Thebodies of water could be storage tanks which, when properly configured,could serve the same water storage function. The same comments may bemade with regard to the structure to which water is delivered. Thisdocument refers to structures that use water as “water user structures”.Each water user structure could be a home or a plurality of homes, orone or more buildings, or apartments in a housing complex, or could beone or more garages, industrial structures, or any mixture ofindustrial, commercial or residential structures having a use for water.

The invention is described herein with regard to the use of any powerplant and associated co-adjuvant gas turbine. The invention is notlimited to coal or co-adjuvant turbines and may be operationallyassociated with any type of power plant including water, wind, solar,gas or nuclear.

It should be understood that applicant's invention may be practiced witha single body of water when greywater is processed as described.Blackwater liquid is processed in the same manner as described. Theblackwater solids are disposed of as described, or could be distributedto farmers or agricultural uses. However, facilities must be provided toburn the carbon filters to provide electricity.

In view of the above, the scope of applicant's invention shall be aslimited to and defined by applicant's disclosure taken in conjunctionwith his claims.

What I claim is:
 1. A method for recycling water between a water source and a water user structure, the method comprising: applying potable water from the water source to the water user structure; applying wastewater from the water user structure to a wastewater treatment apparatus; applying waste steam from a power plant to the wastewater treatment apparatus; operating the wastewater treatment apparatus utilizing the waste steam to process blackwater within the wastewater to generate the potable water; and returning the potable water to the water source.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein operating the wastewater treatment apparatus further comprises: operating the wastewater treatment apparatus utilizing the waste steam to process greywater within the wastewater to generate the potable water.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein: the power plant is a coal-fired power plant.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising: applying supplemental waste steam from a co-adjuvant turbine generator to the wastewater treatment apparatus; wherein operating the wastewater treatment apparatus further comprises: operating the wastewater treatment apparatus utilizing the supplemental waste steam to process the blackwater to generate the potable water.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein operating the wastewater treatment apparatus further comprises: operating the wastewater treatment apparatus utilizing the supplemental waste steam to process greywater within the wastewater to generate the potable water.
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein: the co-adjuvant turbine generator is a gas turbine generator.
 7. The method of claim 4 further comprising: operating the co-adjuvant turbine generator intermittently to apply the supplemental steam to the wastewater treatment apparatus.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising: applying the wastewater to a preheater of the wastewater treatment apparatus; applying an output of the preheater to an ozone generator of the wastewater treatment apparatus; applying an output of the ozone generator to distillation apparatus of the wastewater treatment apparatus to generate the potable water; and applying an output of the distillation apparatus to the water source to return the potable water to the water source.
 9. An apparatus configured to recycle water between a water source and a water user structure, the apparatus comprising: a water supply path configured to direct potable water from the water source to the water user structure; a wastewater path configured to direct wastewater from the water user structure to a wastewater treatment apparatus; a waste steam path configured to direct waste steam from a power plant to the wastewater treatment apparatus; the wastewater treatment apparatus configured to utilize the waste steam to process blackwater within the wastewater to generate the potable water; and a return path configured to return the potable water from the wastewater treatment apparatus to the water source.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the wastewater treatment apparatus is further configured to utilize the waste steam to process greywater within the wastewater to generate the potable water.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein: the power plant is a coal-fired power plant.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: a supplemental waste steam path configured to direct supplemental waste steam from a co-adjuvant turbine generator to the wastewater treatment apparatus; wherein the wastewater treatment apparatus is configured to utilize the supplemental waste steam to process the blackwater to generate the potable water.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the wastewater treatment apparatus is configured to utilize the supplemental waste steam to process greywater within the wastewater to generate the potable water.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein: the co-adjuvant turbine generator is a gas turbine generator.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein: the co-adjuvant turbine generator is configured to operate intermittently to apply the supplemental steam to the wastewater treatment apparatus.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the wastewater treatment apparatus includes: a preheater coupled to the wastewater path and configured to preheat the wastewater; an ozone generator coupled to an output of the preheater and configured to supply ozone to the preheated wastewater; and a distillation apparatus coupled to an output of the ozone generator and configured to distill the preheated and ozone treated wastewater for application at an output of the distillation apparatus as the potable water; the distillation apparatus configured to apply the output of the distillation apparatus to the return path to return the potable water to the water source.
 17. A method for recycling water between a water source and a water user structure, the method comprising: applying potable water from the water source to the water user structure; applying wastewater from the water user structure to a wastewater treatment apparatus; applying waste steam from a power plant to the wastewater treatment apparatus; operating the wastewater treatment apparatus utilizing the waste steam to process greywater within the wastewater to generate the potable water; and returning the potable water to the water source.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein operating the wastewater treatment apparatus further comprises: operating the wastewater treatment apparatus utilizing the waste steam to process blackwater within the wastewater to generate the potable water.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein: the power plant is a coal-fired power plant.
 20. The method of claim 17 further comprising: applying supplemental waste steam from a co-adjuvant turbine generator to the wastewater treatment apparatus; wherein operating the wastewater treatment apparatus further comprises: operating the wastewater treatment apparatus utilizing the supplemental waste steam to process the greywater to generate the potable water. 